title: The RHO-1 RhoGTPase modulates fertility and multiple behaviors in adult C. elegans.
abstract: The Rho family of small GTPases are essential during early embryonic development making it difficult to study their functions in adult animals. Using inducible transgenes expressing either a constitutively active version of the single C. elegans Rho ortholog, RHO-1, or an inhibitor of endogenous Rho (C3 transferase), we demonstrate multiple defects caused by altering Rho signaling in adult C. elegans. Changes in RHO-1 signaling in cholinergic neurons affected locomotion, pharyngeal pumping and fecundity. Changes in RHO-1 signaling outside the cholinergic neurons resulted in defective defecation, ovulation, and changes in C. elegans body morphology. Finally both increased and decreased RHO-1 signaling in adults resulted in death within hours. The multiple post-developmental roles for Rho in C. elegans demonstrate that RhoA signaling pathways continue to be used post-developmentally and the resulting phenotypes provide an opportunity to further study post-developmental Rho signaling pathways using genetic screens.
authors.affiliation: MRC Cell Biology Unit, MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology and Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McMullan
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Nurrish
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D005683:Gagging / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D018869:Heat-Shock Response / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C560609:RHO-1 protein, C elegans; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein